Dubai: Bangladesh batter put up a reckless batting show to ruin bowlers’ hard work as they suffered a 41-run defeat to India in their Asia Cup Super Fours contest at Dubai International Cricket Stadium today.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, a victory in the game would have helped them make a giant stride toward the final. But the defeat turned their game against Pakistan a must-win clash in a bid to seal the final. However, they will take on Pakistan tomorrow (Thursday), just less than 24 hours after the defeat to India.
Bangladesh bowlers curbed India batters’ aggression impeccably to restrict them for 168-7, a target that looked manageable. However, Indian spinners and pacer Jasprit Bumrah proved to be tough nuts to crack. They came up with a disciplined bowling show to wrap up Bangladesh innings for 127 in 19.3 overs, confirming the side’s final with a match to spare. India’s match against Sri Lanka is now just a mere dead-rubber.
Bangladesh opener Saif Hasan continued his rich vein of form, hitting 69 off 51, with three fours and five sixes, his consecutive second fifty-plus knock in the tournament. But other batters crumbled against India attack. Parvez Hossain Emon was the only batter apart from Saif to reach double digits, making 21 off 19.
Proving his status as the world’s best bowler in all formats, Bumrah delivered a blazing opening spell, denying Bangladesh a solid start. He removed in-form Bangladesh opener Tanzid Hasan Tamim in his first over for 1 before Saif and Emon put up a resistance. They looked solid in the crease but when spinners were introduced in the attack, Bangladesh was left clueless.
Kuldeep Yadav cracked the game open for India, ending the 42-run partnership between Saif and Emon by dismissing the latter, and from there on, it was a one-sided contest. Kuldeep stifled Bangladesh innings by varying his pace and also took the wicket of Rishad Hossain and Tanzim Hasan Sakib to finish with 3-18 in four overs. His spin-partner Varun Chakrabarthy also baffled Bangladesh with a gem of spin, scything down the middle order with a figure of 2-26. Bumrah too finished with 2-18 after he came back in the second spell to end Saif Hasan’s lone vigil.
But Bangladesh bowlers played their part well by restricting India to a meager total that was unexpected after a marauding start by Avishek Sharma. With Avishek Sharma, India were 112-2 in 11 overs but after his dismissal, India managed just 56 runs in the last eight overs for four wickets. Avishek blasted a 37-ball 75, an inning laced with six fours and five sixes. Avishek and his opening partnership Shubman Gill racked up 77 runs in just 6.2 overs after Bangladesh won the crucial toss and put India into bat first.
Teams batting second win the game in Dubai under lights, prompted Jaker Ali Anik, replacing injured Liton Das as Bangladesh captain to bowl first. Avishek messed the truth but once he was trapped run out, Bangladesh were all over against India. Rishad Hossain tied down India in the middle overs and finished with 2-33 after getting the better of Gill who made 19-ball 29 and Shivam Dube (2).
Hardik Pandya managed to score 29-ball 38 and looked for a death over carnage, but Saifuddin baffled him with intriguing slower, conceding just four runs in the last over. He also took the wicket of Pandya in the last ball of the innings, giving the batters a target that was manageable.